Arsenal sign Basel midfielder Elneny

Arsenal have signed Egypt international midfielder Mohamed Elneny from Swiss Super League outfit FC Basel, subject to the of regulatory processes.

The 23-year-old joins the Gunners after making 28 appearances in all competitions for Basel in the first half of the season, netting six times.

“It is an indescribable feeling, I am really glad of course,” Elneny told Arsenal Player. “Arsenal is one of the world’s greatest teams, and I am very keen to participate positively with my new team, God willing, and to give my best for the team and for myself.

“Arsenal is one of those teams that everyone enjoys watching and of course I would love to play for such a great team.

“Mr Wenger is a highly respected manager and one of the world’s best managers. It is my honour to be trained under his management.

“It is one the biggest clubs in the world, I know everything about it and its players.

“I would like to tell [the fans] that, although you have not seen much of me, I promise I will contribute positively with the team.

“I am hoping that we win the Premier League and cup this season, and the Champions League as well.”

Commenting on the signing of the midfielder, Wenger said: “He is 23 years old and has already got Champions League, Europa League and Swiss League experience. He is a player who is adaptable in midfield.

“He can be box to box and be a holding midfielder so that is for us very promising. We wanted a versatile player and I wanted a player who can play defensive but can as well play to box to box.

“His strengths are his technical level, his vision, his intelligence, his disciplined attitude and his physical attitude to compete at a high level. I think he has the physical qualities to play at the top level.

“Where he needs to adapt is to the challenges, the force needed in the Premier League to survive. I think that could demand a little bit of adaptation. But overall I think he has all the attributes to do well.”